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E60 / E61 (2004 - 2010) BMW 5-Series E60 Sedan was first seen in the Unites States in the fall of 2003 with a 2004 Model Year designation. The E61 wagon followed shortly there after. The E60/E61 5 series is now available as a 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and a 535xi sports wagon! -- View the E60 Wiki

I did it one time before and from what I'm reading it seems pretty simple but I can't replicate it again. My car has a start/stop button and my key is right next to me. I press the break and hit the button and nothing happens. I then just insert the key and press the break and hit the button and the car starts. Anyone have any suggestions?

I did it one time before and from what I'm reading it seems pretty simple but I can't replicate it again. My car has a start/stop button and my key is right next to me. I press the break and hit the button and nothing happens. I then just insert the key and press the break and hit the button and the car starts. Anyone have any suggestions?

Do you have comfort access? I don't but if I turn off the car, remove the key and immediately press the brake and hit the button, the car will start again. That seems to be a flaw in all E60's without comfort access. I'm not sure if that's what you are referring to.

It didn't open when I walked up to it and I can't tell about the groves on the BMW 535 XI so I'm trying to see if the remote has batteries in the back that are dead. I press the button on both remotes but the thing won't open. So frustrating, I feel like I'm breaking it.

It didn't open when I walked up to it and I can't tell about the groves on the BMW 535 XI so I'm trying to see if the remote has batteries in the back that are dead. I press the button on both remotes but the thing won't open. So frustrating, I feel like I'm breaking it.

If you have comfort access you will be able to replace the battery from what I have read. I have comfort access and just had to replace the battery. Was getting a message on the dash saying the battery was dead. Non comfort access have a rechargeable battery and can't be replaces with out breaking the seal on the fob.

I too have to stick the key in the ignition. Is there something I can do to make it where I dont have to stick it in to start? I dont believe I have the comfort access.

Unless you can find an alarm company who can install a remote start alarm in your car, which I highly do not recommend due to the sensitive electronics of BMW's, there is nothing you can do to start an E60 without inserting the key if you do not have comfort access. Going to BMW to have comfort access installed is also probably cost prohibitive.

I have the same problem I press the start/stop button without the remote in NADA I put the key in start the car turn the engine off take off the key press start button and the engine start. this is frustrating. How do I know I have Comfort Access can anyone help please

You likely don't have it. If you have the key out and step on the brake and nothing happens when you press start you most likely don't have it. If you approach your car and the car doesn't unlock you most likely don't have it.

Mine will do it, but I have to start the car with the key in, stop the car and then it will work without the key in it if I do it within 15 seconds. To me that's pointless unless you are one of those people that have a thousand keys on your key ring.

It's easy to know if you have comfort access.
Comfort Access keys have a cover in the back of the key fob so you can replace the battery, Non Comfort Access keys have no cover in the back of the key fob because the battery is rechargeable through the key slot.

Look at this image for reference, if your key looks like the one on the left then you have Comfort Access, if it looks like the right one then you don't have Comfort Access.

You should have a key fob that looks like the one on the left - see picture above.
Push down on the ridged part of the fob and then pull towards you. A key will
come out of the fob. You will see a piece of plastic pointing towards you - looks like a fob tongue. Just above it is a slot into which a small blade screwdriver can be placed. Carefully pry up and the battery cover comes off. Replace the battery, then the cover, then the key and all should be well.